Indian Railways is shifting focus towards the production of high-tech Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches to provide passengers with greater safety, comfort, and improved services. The plan involves gradually phasing out the older ICF coaches manufactured in Chennai and replacing every long-distance train in the country with LHB coaches.
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Record production of modern coaches
Railway reports that more than 4,424 LHB coaches have been manufactured at various rail coach factories across the country by November 2025 in the current financial year. This marks an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, setting a new record. According to Railway, 1,659 coaches were produced at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, 1,234 at the Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, and 1,331 at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala.
From 2014 to 2025, Indian Railways manufactured more than 42,600 LHB coaches, whereas only 2,300 such coaches were produced between 2004 and 2014. The railway says these statistics reflect the strong focus on modernising passenger trains across the country.
Advanced features and safety enhancements
LHB coaches, designed by Germany’s Alstom, feature stainless steel bodies, advanced disc brakes, and the capability to run at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour. They are also equipped with ‘anti-climbing’ safety features, ensuring that in the event of an accident, one compartment does not mount over another.
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The transition began with the use of LHB coaches in premium and long-distance trains like the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express. Over time, ICF coaches have been gradually phased out, and LHB coaches have now become the standard across Indian Railways’ long-distance services.
